Athletic towel with strap and closable pockets

ABSTRACT

One embodiment being an athletic towel consisting of two distinct portions, one portion being of free hanging absorbent material ( 52 ) and the other portion being pocketed. In the case of this embodiment, the pocketed portion has two pockets ( 30 A,  30 B), each of which has a fastener at its opening for closure. One pocket has a zipper for its fastener ( 34 ) and the other has a hook and loop fastener ( 38 A,  38 B). The pocket with the hook and loop fastener has a set of pull tabs ( 42 A,  42 B) centered at the edge of its opening ( 32 A). Two strap ends ( 44 A,  44 B) extend from the pocketed portion, and terminate with a hook and loop fastener ( 46 A,  46 C) with which the strap ends can be secured around a secondary object. The resulting single article provides a user with a towel to wipe off perspiration, pockets in which to securely store small, personal items, and, in this embodiment, a strap as means to keep both towel and personal items within near proximity and off of unsanitary gymnasium flooring while engaged in fitness activities. Every component of this embodiment is made of materials that can be machine washed and dried.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/901,279, filed Feb. 15, 2007 by the present inventors.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to both towels and personal item carriers.

2. Prior Art

Bringing a personal towel is often a requirement for use of exercise equipment in fitness clubs. The towel is usually made of a single piece of terry cloth or similar fabric and is used to remove perspiration from both the athlete and the exercise equipment being used. There is no means with which to secure the towel to the equipment and it often ends up on the unsanitary gymnasium floor. The contaminated towel is then retrieved from the floor and used for personal use. This practice introduces the user of the dirtied towel to unnecessary types and amounts of germs and bacteria.

In addition, a towel is just that—a towel or other single piece of cloth. It has no portion of its body in which the user can house personal items. Athletes who often choose not to use lockers for small, personal, and, often, valuable items, awkwardly juggle them along with the required towel from one piece of exercise equipment to another. Personal items are often dropped and damaged, left behind and sometimes even lost. The athlete is inconvenienced, frustrated and, often, burdened financially due to replacement costs of their personal items.

SUMMARY

A towel is comprised of a single piece of terry cloth or similar material that is difficult to manage along with other small personal items. This problem often creates a situation of frustration, sub optimal hygiene and financial burden due to replacement costs for damaged or lost items. My invention is comprised of a securable athletic towel with a free hanging portion for personal hygiene as well as a pocketed portion in which personal items can safely managed.

DRAWINGS—FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows an overall front view with pockets closed and a strap end fully extended.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of two main layers of an embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows a back view of two main layers stitched together with pocket closure in place.

FIG. 4 shows a front view with pocket divisions and pocket closure.

FIG. 5 shows a back view with pockets opened and straps extended.

FIG. 6 shows a back view with strap ends extended and strap end fasteners visible.

FIG. 7 shows a back view with pockets closed and strap ends extended.

FIG. 8 shows a back view with strap ends nearing fastening position.

FIG. 9 shows a back view with strap ends fully fastened and pockets closed. fully shows a

FIG. 10 shows a side angled back view, right side in the forefront, with strap ends fastened.

FIG. 11 shows a back view of main strap end readied for storage.

FIG. 12 show a back view with main strap stored in pocket.

FIG. 13 shows Athletic Towel With Towel And Closable Pockets in use.

DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS

20 material layer 22 material layer 24 seam 26 side edge of towel 28 side edge of towel 30A pocket 30B pocket 31 bottom edge of the pockets 32A pocket opening 32B pocket opening 34 zipper 35A stationary zigzag stitch 35B stationary zigzag stitch 36 zipper pull 37B zipper end 38A hook side of fastener 38B loop side of fastener 40A pocket division 40B parallel seam 42A pull tab 42B pull tab 44A strap end 44B strap end 46A strap-end fastener 46B strap-end fastener 46C strap end fastener 48A pocket side seam 48B pocket side seam 50 bottom edge of towel 52 free hanging end of towel

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6

A front view of the embodiment of my athletic towel with strap and closable pockets is illustrated in FIG. 1. The towel is typically comprised of two distinct portions, or ends. One end of the towel is free hanging 52 and the opposite end is pocketed. Two pockets 30A and 30B make up the pocketed portion of the towel, however, any reasonable number of pockets and pocket sizes can be used. Pockets 30A and 30B have means for closure. The embodiment in FIG. 5 shows that a hook and loop fastener closes pocket 30A and a zipper 34 closes pocket 30B. Many other types of closures may be used, however, such as snaps, flaps, drawstrings, etc. . . .

The athletic towel can be of single or multiple layers, however, the embodiment of FIG. 2 shows that one of the layers 20 serves as the body of the towel and measures the overall dimensions of the embodiment (the length and width of a hand towel, for example.) The second, or other, layer 22 has the same width as the first and the same length as the depth of pockets 30A and 30B. Layers 20 and 22 are of terry cloth, micro fiber, flannel, or any other absorbent material that is suitable for personal hygiene and easily laundered.

Layers 20 and 22 are aligned end to end (FIG. 2) and are machine stitched, right sides of the material together, creating a seam 24. The seam 24 is then pressed open (FIG. 3) and a zipper 34 of adequate length (roughly, five centimeters shorter than the width of pocket 30B) is zipped closed and positioned over the opened seam 24 with zipper pull 36 face down. The zipper end 37B is positioned, roughly, one and one-half centimeters from the raw side edge of the towel 26. Zipper 34 is sewn in place. Both terminating points of zipper 34 are tacked with a stationary zigzag stitch 35A and 35B for reinforcement. The space between stationary zigzag stitch 35A and raw side edge 26 is reinforced (seam open) with a zigzag stitch or other reinforcing stitch that will firmly secure this section of layer 20 to layer 22. Roughly, two and one-half centimeters of seam 24 between stationary zigzag stitch 35B and the point where pocket 30B ends and 30A begins is also reinforced with a zigzag stitch or other reinforcing stitch. The seam allowance edges of 24 are stitched to layers 20 and 22 with a zigzag stitch to prevent unraveling. (The raw seam allowance edges of 24 could, however, be secured in another manner such as with seam binding, or turned under, approximately, one centimeter and stitched to layers 20 and 22).

Layers 20 and 22 are folded, wrong sides together, along seam 24. The bottom edge of layer 22 is zigzag stitched to layer 20 creating a bottom edge of the pockets 31 (FIG. 4). (Other methods of finishing the bottom edge of 22 can include turning under the edge, roughly, one-half centimeter and sewing the newly folded edge to layer 20, using seam binding to finish the raw edge and stitching the newly finished edge to layer 20, or any other reasonable method of finishing and stitching 22 to 20).

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, pockets 30A and 30B are separated by a machine stitched pocket division 40A. A vertical seam is stitched between pockets 30A and 30B, dividing them from one another. Division 40A runs from the opening edge of the pockets to the bottom edge of the pockets 31. A parallel seam 40B is stitched, roughly, one-half centimeter from 40A for extra reinforcement. The section of seam 24 (FIG. 3) between the stationary zigzag stitches 35A and 35B is removed and the teeth of zipper 34 along with zipper pull 36 are exposed to create pocket opening 32B (FIG. 5). The section of seam 24 between pocket division 40A and side edge 28 is removed to prepare for pocket opening 32A.

In FIG. 5 two pull tabs 42A and 42B are created by folding lengthwise and stitching together the sides of two segments of ribbed ribbon, approximately, two centimeters wide (other materials such as braided cotton strap, other types sturdy ribbon, or any other durable material can also be used for the pull tabs). Tab 42A is centered and stitched on the inside of the front portion of pocket 30A with the bottom edge of 42A, roughly, two and one-half centimeters below the opening edge of 32A and extending out from pocket 30A. Tab 42B is centered and stitched on the inside of the back portion of pocket 30A, with the bottom edge of tab 42B, roughly, one inch below the opening edge of 32A and extending out from pocket 30A.

The hook side of about a two centimeter wide hook and loop fastener 38A is positioned on the inside of the back portion of pocket 30A. It is approximately, one-half centimeters down from the opening edge of 32A, roughly, one and one-half centimeters in from pocket divider 40A and terminates, approximately, four centimeters from outer side edge 28. Fastener 38A is secured by stitching around its edges. The loop side of about a two centimeter wide hook and loop fastener 38B is positioned on the inside of the front portion of pocket 30A. It is approximately, one-half centimeter down from the opening edge of 32A, roughly, one and one-half centimeters in from pocket divider 40A and terminates, approximately, four centimeters from outer side edge 28. Fastener 38B is secured by stitching around its edges. Fasteners 38A and 38B overlay the secured ends of pocket tabs 42B and 42A respectively.

FIG. 5 shows strap end 44A which is made of, approximately, two and one-half centimeter wide woven cotton strap, (strap can also be of woven cotton belt, nylon, or similar material) roughly, twenty-one and one-half centimeters in length. Each end of strap end 44A is finished with a zigzag stitch to prevent unraveling (however, seam binding or other similar method of raw edge finishing can be used). Strap end 44B is made of the same material as 44A and measures, approximately, six centimeters in length. Each end of 44B is finished with a zigzag stitch, or other form of raw edge finishing, to prevent unraveling. One end of strap end 44A is positioned and stitched to the inside of the front section of pocket 30A, approximately, two and one-half centimeters down from opening edge 32A and, roughly, two centimeters in from outer side edge 28 (Reinforcement stitching can be added, approximately, one and one-half centimeters from the initial stitching that secures 44A). Strap end 44A extends out from pocket 30A.

Strap end fastener 46A, shown in FIG. 5, is made of the hook side of an, approximately, two centimeter wide hook and loop fastener which measures, roughly, two and one-half centimeters long. Stitching around its edges secures it to the top portion of the backside of strap end 44A about one and one-half centimeters down from the top edge. Strap end fastener 46B is stitched around its edges to strap end 44A, approximately, one and one-half centimeters below the bottom edge of fastener 46A.

FIG. 6 shows strap-end fastener 46C, (the loop side of a, roughly, two centimeter wide hook and loop fastener) approximately, four centimeters long and stitched around its edges, securing it to the underside of strap end 44B about two centimeters down from the top edge. The top edge of strap end 44B is positioned vertically, approximately, one and one-half centimeters above bottom edge of pockets 31, and is stitched securely in place near the top edge of 44B. (A second stitching about one-half inch from the first stitching can provide additional reinforcement).

Layer 22 is stitched to layer 20 (FIG. 6) at the side edges of pockets 30A and 30B thus creating pocket side seams 48A and 48B (a second stitching can be added along side the first for added strength). Raw side edges of towel 26 and 28, and bottom edge of towel 50 are finished off by turning under the raw edges, roughly, one centimeter and zigzag stitching the raw edge to layer 20 (similar ways of finishing off the raw edges 26, 28 and 50, such as turning them under, approximately, one centimeter and hemming the edges, or by encasing the raw edges in seam binding or in decorative edging, or any other reasonable means of finishing off raw edges 26, 28, and 50 can be done).

Operation—FIGS. 1, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13

The manner of using the Athletic Towel With Strap And Closable Pockets is similar to using a single layered towel while exercising, in that the towel portion is used for personal hygiene and wiping down exercise equipment after use. My invention, however, offers far more than ordinary hygienic use, it also provides the convenience of closable pockets in which person items can be stored and protected.

In order to use the athletic towel with strap and closable pockets one must first open pocket 30A (not seen here but in FIG. 1 of the above patent) by pulling on tabs 42A and 42B (FIG. 1) to release the hook and loop fastener comprised of 38A and 38B (seen in FIG. 5). Next, if one desires to use the optional strap, (comprised of strap ends 44A and 44B) remove strap end 44A (FIGS. 11 and 12) and insert personal Items such as cell phones or musical devices into pocket 30A for storage during athletic activity. Once the desired items have been stored one must close the pocket by pressing the hook and loop fastener ends 38A and 38B together.

Next, the second pocket 30B (seen in FIG. 1) can be opened by pulling zipper pull 36 which opens zipper 34 (seen in FIG. 5 of the above patent). Next one places remaining personal items, such as keys, wallet, identification, gym membership cards, feminine products, etc . . . in this pocket 30B. To close pocket 30B, pull zipper pull 36 until the zippered opening is completely closed, securing ones belongings.

Now that ones items have been placed in pockets 30A and 30B, it is time to fasten the Athletic Towel to a piece of exercise equipment of ones choice. One takes strap 44A (FIG. 8) and pulls apart the hook and loop fastener end 46A from 46B (seen in FIG. 11). One places the strap around a bar of exercise equipment or other secondary object and presses the hook fastener 46A to loop fastener 46C which is located on the back side of strap end 44B ( seen in FIG. 13). Now the Athletic Towel With Strap And Closable Pockets is securely fastened, leaving the remaining free hanging portion of the towel 50 (seen in FIG. 13) free hanging for personal hygiene use. Thus, with personal items safely and securely stored within the closable pockets and strapped within arms reach, one can focus completely on their athletic activities without worrying that their items will be damaged or lost.

Advantages

The description above clearly demonstrates a number of advantages offered by this athletic towel with pockets and strap. It provides privacy, security, convenience, accessibility, sanitation and organization.

(a) A towel having a strap can be easily hung from exercise equipment or other secondary object, enabling the user to have easy access to a quick wipe down after strenuous exercise.

(b) The strap which secures the towel to exercise equipment prevents the towel from falling off equipment and onto an unsanitary gymnasium floor.

(c) A secured towel could prevent the athlete from suddenly becoming distracted and being injured due to a personal item or loose towel falling while they are exercising.

(d) An athletic towel having closable pockets will enable the user to maintain personal items that one must bring to gymnasiums or sporting events. Items such as keys, wallet, cell phone, pagers, identification, gym membership cards, feminine hygiene products, deodorant, ipods (or other forms of musical devices), money, etc . . . are protected from loss or damage.

(e) Jewelry that the athlete is required to remove during an athletic event can be easily and safely stored in the closable pockets.

(f) When items have been stored in secured pockets it gives the athlete piece of mind knowing that their belongings are safe and secure in one easily accessible place.

(g) The athletic towel with pockets gives the athlete quick and easy access to their personal items such as a cell phone in case of pressing family matters or emergencies.

(h) Knowing you can put your personal items in designated pockets of your athletic towel makes one more willing to take them along rather than leave them locked in the car where they can be stolen.

(i) Having these pockets allows for ones privacy when carrying items they would rather not have seen is public (such as tampons, etc . . . ).

(j) The athletic towel with strap and closable pockets allows the athlete to store his personal items without spending money on a locker rental.

(m) the pocket with a portion of non closure can be used to hold ones ipod or other musical devise allowing the ear piece wire to extend out of the open space in the pocket and to the listener's ear while exercising.

(n) The athletic towel is made of easily laundered material and can be conveniently machine washed and tumble dried after each use.

Conclusion, Ramifications and Scope

Accordingly, the reader will see the athletic towel with strap and closable pockets can be used to conveniently contain personal items for storage and safety, while securely fastening onto a piece of exercise equipment preventing the towel from falling on an unsanitary gym floor. The user have the remaining free hanging portion for personal hygiene use. 

1-7. (canceled)
 8. An article, comprising: (a) a free hanging portion of absorbent material, (b) a pocketed portion, and (c) a means for securing to a secondary object, (d) having said free hanging portion of absorbent material extending from said pocketed portion, and said pocketed portion having a means for securing to a secondary object, whereby the resulting single article provides said free hanging portion for wiping off perspiration, said pocketed portion for holding personal items, and said means for securing to a secondary object for maintaining said free hanging portion and said personal items within close proximity of a user while said user is engaged in athletics.
 9. The article of claim 8, further including means for closure at opening of said pocketed portion, wherein said means for closure being a device selected from the group consisting of fasteners.
 10. The article of claim 9, wherein said means for closure includes a zipper.
 11. The article of claim 9, wherein said means for closure includes a hook and loop fastener.
 12. The article of claim 11, further including pull tabs as means with which to disengage said hook and loop fastener when in a fastened position.
 13. The article of claim 8, further including means for closure at opening of said pocketed portion, wherein said means for closure being a device selected from the group consisting of drawstrings.
 14. The article of claim 9, wherein said means for securing to a secondary object being selected from the group consisting of fasteners.
 15. The article of claim 9, wherein said means for securing to a secondary object being selected from the group consisting of clasps.
 16. The article of claim 9, wherein said means for securing to a secondary object being selected from the group consisting of clamps.
 17. The article of claim 9, wherein said means for securing to a secondary object being selected from the group consisting of hooks.
 18. The article of claim 9, wherein said means for securing to a secondary object being selected from the group consisting of straps, further including means for fastening the strap being selected from the group consisting of fasteners.
 19. The article of claim 9, wherein said means for securing to a secondary object can optionally be stored within said pocketed portion when not in use.
 20. The article of claim 9, wherein said free hanging portion of absorbent material and said pocketed portion share a common single material layer (20).
 21. The article of claim 9, whereby said means for securing to a secondary object prevents said portion of absorbent material from coming into contact with unsanitary gymnasium flooring.
 22. The article of claim 9, wherein all components are of materials which can be machine washed and dried.
 23. The article of claim 9, wherein said means for securing to a secondary object can be temporarily removed in preparation for laundering, and the remaining portions of said single article consist of materials which can be machine washed and dried.
 24. The article of claim 9, wherein said pocketed portion includes a section of predetermined dimensions to house a cell phone.
 25. The article of claim 9, wherein said athletics includes fitness activity, and said secondary object includes exercise equipment.
 26. The article of claim 9, wherein said single article has manufactured edging around its boarders.
 27. An article, comprising: (a) a free hanging portion of absorbent material, (b) a pocketed portion, (c) means for closure, (d) pull tabs, and (e) a means for securing to a secondary object, (f) having said free hanging portion of absorbent material extending from said pocketed portion, which has said means for closure, including said pull tabs for disengaging said means for closure, and said pocketed portion having a means for securing to a secondary object, whereby the resulting single article provides said free hanging portion for wiping off perspiration, said pocketed portion for housing personal items, and said means for securing to a secondary object for maintaining said free hanging portion and said personal items within close proximity of a user while engaging in fitness activities. 